2012 Summer Olympics Preview: Young Stars Sure to Thrive in Olympic Lights

Anthony Davis will undoubtedly raise a few eyebrows this summer at the 2012 Olympics. The long-limbed star is the youngest player on the team USA roster and will have a vital role in reducing rim rockers on the hardwood. 

The Olympic games are part gluttony and part pride. The gluttonous group of athletes are those who have reached that hallowed ground and been there before, but want more.

The young up-and-comers are those athletes who have either sniffed gold and fell short or those who are making their first trip to this grand stage. 

However, in both cases, the haves and have nots have a common goal: victory.

The few chosen elite athletes of the world will display pride for their countries as four years of hard work commences into maximized effort. The following athletes are those who are young and unproven. These are the future stars of the Olympics and the ones that you need to watch.

In the following five slides, we break down the top-five young athletes who will guide their countries to success in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

NBA Team: New Orleans Hornets

Position: PF/C

Age: 19

2011-2012 stats at Kentucky: 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.7 blocks

Anthony Davis dominated the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship despite making just one field goal and recording six points. It's that kind of presence that will be integral to the success of this year's version of the Dream Team.

After a narrow 80-69 exhibition win over Brazil, coach Mike Krzyzewski told USA Today's Scott Gleeson: "If we win the gold medal, it will be because of how well we play defensively."

At 6'10", Davis will need to be strong around the rim along with the 7-0 Tyson Chandler in order for team USA to reveal it's typical dominance.

The Unibrow was in jeopardy of not making the team, or trip to London, due to a sprained ankle but recovered quickly enough to replace Clippers star Blake Griffin on the trimmed roster.

Davis made his debut for the team last Thursday in a 113-59 win over the Dominican Republic. Although he only played the fourth quarter, he scored nine points and brought the crowd alive again by showing his range on a successful four point play.

Look for Davis to see more minutes as team USA hones its defense while in exhibition. Team USA faces Argentina at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 22. 

Brazilian League series A team: Santos FC

Position: F

Age: 20

2012-2013: 20 games, 18 goals, 6 assists

Lionel Messi is not the only young stud in the soccer world.

In fact, many believe that 20-year-old Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior or "Neymar" could soon claim the title of world's best soccer player. This year Neymar will suit up for the Brazilian national team in an effort to win the country's first Olympic gold medal. 

As Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl says, this Brazil team "should end that drought." Neymar will have a cast of Hulk, Thiago Silva, and Marcelo among others

Neymar, who has scored six goals in 11 international games, is known for his slick and steady ball handling. Here is a video, courtesy of Ty Duff of thebiglead.com, of the small-statured star weaving through five defenders. 

The man who Pele claimed as "better than Messi," is expected to make a move from Santos FC to one of the bigger clubs such as Barcelona or Real Madrid before the 2014 World Cup. Chelsea and Manchester City have also joined the five-team race, according to The Sun. 

Neymar recently told the Associated Press that "there is a great expectation at home for us to win the gold medal. It is very important because we have never won Olympic gold before so now we have a chance to make history."

Team: Jamaica

Events: 100-meter dash, 200

Age: 22

100-meter time at Lucrene: 9.85

When Blake beat Bolt in the 100-meter dash at the Jamaican Olympic Trials in late June, the World's Fastest Man thought he had a new sidekick. After Blake beat him in the 200 meters, Bolt realized he had a rival. 

The 25-year-old Bolt is not quite over-the-hill in Olympic years, but time and Blake are gaining on him. However, in a recent interview with the BBC, Blake said, "Win, lose or draw we are friends, even though it is business and he wants to win and I want to win," when asked about his rivalry with Bolt.

The finals for the men's 100-meters are on August 5. The finals for the 200-meters are on August 9. Jamaica has recorded four of the top-five fastest times ever in the 100-meters, with Bolt's 9.58 in 2009 topping the list. Blake's 9.75 ranks fourth on the list.

Anthony Davis will undoubtedly raise a few eyebrows this summer at the 2012 Olympics. The long-limbed star is the youngest player on the team USA roster and will have a vital role in reducing rim rockers on the hardwood. 

The Olympic games are part gluttony and part pride. The gluttonous group of athletes are those who have reached that hallowed ground and been there before, but want more.

The young up-and-comers are those athletes who have either sniffed gold and fell short or those who are making their first trip to this grand stage. 

However, in both cases, the haves and have nots have a common goal: victory.

The few chosen elite athletes of the world will display pride for their countries as four years of hard work commences into maximized effort. The following athletes are those who are young and unproven. These are the future stars of the Olympics and the ones that you need to watch.

In the following five slides, we break down the top-five young athletes who will guide their countries to success in the 2012 Summer Olympics.

United Soccer Leagues W-League: Seattle Sounders

Position: F

Age: 23

2011-2012 with Team USA: 5 games, 2 goals, 1 assist

Alex Morgan was the youngest player on the Team USA roster at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. Morgan is widely known as one of the fastest players on Team USA and should improve her minutes after providing a spark off the bench in several appearances last year. Morgan recorded seven goals in her first 16 national caps. 

During her career at the University of California, Berkeley, Morgan scored 45 goals and ranked third all-time for the school in points with 107. She was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2011 WPS Draft by the Western New York Flash.

The question, visited by ESPN's Jeff Carlisle, is, will coach Pia Sundhage include Morgan in this year's starting 11? The answer is undoubtedly yes.

With Morgan alongside, Abby Wambach, it would give Team USA the most dynamic attack in women's soccer. With Morgan's speed and handling and Wambach's powerful burst and physicality, the Team USA offense would be a handful for any opponent.

According to USA Today, "Morgan has forced her way into Sundhage's starting lineup with 12 goals in her first 11 games of this year, along with seven assists."